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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Mike Phillips on February 13, 2008, 05:05:24 pm

Title: Removing the Ignition switch out of a tilt column - year unknown.
Post by: Mike Phillips on February 13, 2008, 05:05:24 pm

My 1975 GMC Jimmy came with a spare tilt wheel steering column with the column shifter for an automatic.

I don't know the year of the spare column, but I am trying to find out.

I've removed everything I can see and have tried to jimmy it out, (no pun intended), with a screwdriver but to no avail.  I don't have the key for the ignition.  Below are some pictures.

(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1975JimmyIgnition02.jpg)

(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1975JimmyIgnition01.jpg)


Here I've circled 3 areas, the top two look like they may need something done to them to get the cylinder to slide out?  The lower circled area has a small bolt down in there but it's so far from the ignition cylinder I don't think it has anything to do with securing it.

(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1975JimmyIgnition03.JPG)

Could take it down to the machine shop at NAPA if I need to, have to go there to get a new ignition anyways.

Thanks ahead of time for any tips.

Mike

Title: Re: Removing the Ignition switch out of a tilt column - year unknown.
Post by: Dragon on February 13, 2008, 05:46:17 pm

Quote from: Mike Phillips on February 13, 2008, 05:05:24 pm

(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1975JimmyIgnition03.JPG)

Mike, that looks like a 73-78 Column to me, and that one can be a bit pain to get the cylinder out(79-Later Pin/Clip/Retainer Screw Columns are less hassle)... I would suggest you pick up a Chilton's/Hayne's Manual to give you a better idea of what to do...                                                                                                                       

Title: Re: Removing the Ignition switch out of a tilt column - year unknown.
Post by: VileZambonie on February 13, 2008, 07:04:40 pm

It's gonna be tougher to remove not in the  run position. But where you circled in the picture with an oval slide a thin screwdriver into the housing to break it loose, at the same time depress the spring latch at the base of the cylinder and push it out. Again it's intended to be removed in the run position so it may take more effort trying to get it out.

Title: Re: Removing the Ignition switch out of a tilt column - year unknown.
Post by: Mike Phillips on February 13, 2008, 08:48:51 pm

Thanks VileZambonie,

Your directions worked like a charm.  I made a little tool that helped make the job easier, I'll post some pictures for a little how-to in case sometime in the future someone runs into the same problem.

(http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif) (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif) (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif) (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif) (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif)

Title: Re: Removing the Ignition switch out of a tilt column - year unknown.
Post by: VileZambonie on February 14, 2008, 07:27:47 pm

Awesome!